Writing poems one quilt at a time

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Production is slow this year. I’m building a business as a Corporate Change Coach, which, as you might guess, takes a lot of time. However, I always make time for the studio – but not as much as I’d like!

There is a great deal of stitching in my Feeling series, which also takes time. Each individual piece is stitched in a corresponding thread, each stitch line 1/4″ away from the next. The outline shape calls to mind a happy, fat, little Buddha while the blue and green evoke a feeling of serenity for me, much as sitting on the beach, gazing out at the ocean.

Time is a theme in my life lately. It takes time to build a business. It takes time to make big changes. It takes time to make art. And yet, even in the midst of tight scheduling and priority juggling, I can always find moments of serenity. How do you find serenity in your life?

Info about my Feelings series: I interpret my random abstract doodles as emotions. The guiding point is the outer boundary of the doodle. The boundary evokes the feeling. From there, I contemplate how to bring that particular feeling alive in fiber.

The first piece I’ve completed this year is also the last piece I started last year. Two months to create Anguish! That seems like too long but the reality is there is a LOT of stitching in the Feelings series. Each separate fabric strip is stitched individually in its corresponding color, with less than 1/4″ between stitched lines. The stitching follows the outline of the fabric shape, continuing in a smaller and smaller “circle” as I work towards the center of the shape. There are more stitched lines and more yards of thread in Anguish (and the other Feelings) than I am willing to count.

I’ve gotten very Zen about the stitching. It used to be my least favorite thing about making my art. Now, I look forward to it. Sitting down to stitch, whether for 15 minutes if that’s all I can spare, or an hour when I’ve got more time available, centers and grounds me. I meditate better sitting at my Bernina then I do sitting quietly on the floor, following my breath.

Info about my Feelings series: I interpret my random abstract doodles as emotions. The guiding point is the outer boundary of the doodle. The boundary evokes the feeling. From there, I contemplate how to bring that particular feeling alive in fiber.

This year, my art production has slowed (this has been a crazy busy social learning growing year). However, I believe I have found my voice. That’s a trade-off I can live with.

The latest in my Feeling series, Gleeful, makes me smile. In fact, it made me smile every time I sat down in the studio to put more work in towards its completion. I find Gleeful to be a fun, sassy piece. I hope you do as well.

Next up: The feeling for the next piece has yet to be determined. The doodle was selected; the next step is to take a good look at the drawing and then pull a feeling off the master list. Regardless of the tone of the feeling, it is still art. Come back soon for an update.

Info about my Feelings series: I interpret my random abstract doodles as emotions. The guiding point is the outer boundary of the doodle. The boundary evokes the feeling. From there, I contemplate how to bring that particular feeling alive in fiber.

The latest in my Feelings work was difficult to create. An interesting side effect of making a piece named “Powerless” was the actual feeling of powerlessness that entered into the design and completion.

I name my art pieces before I actually start to make them, which is probably the opposite of what a majority of artists do, but it’s how I work — the name gives me the art. To name the abstract shapes used in my Feelings series, I hold a drawing of the shape in one hand and a list of both positive and negative feelings in the other. I look at the shape, then skim the feelings list. At some point, never too long into it, one of the feelings on the list will sort of pop out at me and resonate as the proper feeling for that particular shape. This is what happened with Powerless.

I rarely feel powerless. Ever. It’s just not how I see myself. So to create an unfamiliar feeling in fiber was a challenge and an education. When I was making the other pieces – Inflamed, Inquisitive, Frisky – I was unaware the feeling OF the piece informed the feeling FOR the piece but with Powerless, that was quite evident from the beginning.

The final piece bears little resemblance to the original sketch. I went through a variety of templates and design ideas before I settled on the figure trapped in a web. I considered ditching the piece and moving on to the next (one doesn’t always have to finish what one starts), but the experiment was too interesting. It took quite a lot of effort to finally “see” Powerless in fiber. At that point, it finally came together.

I will leave it to the viewer to decide if this piece evokes an image or impression of powerlessness. All I know is I’m happy to have my power back.

Next up: Back to the positive feelings with the next piece! And in direct contrast to Powerless, I can already see this next feeling finished in fiber. I can’t wait to get started!

Info about my Feelings series: I interpret my random abstract doodles as emotions. The guiding point is the outer boundary of the doodle. The boundary evokes the feeling. From there, I contemplate how to bring that particular feeling alive in fiber.

My Feelings work continues with Frisky. I had so much fun with this one. And I love the colors!

When I think “frisky”, I think of kittens and puppies, of the old television series Happy Days where Mr. and Mrs. Cunningham would occasionally disappear upstairs because one or the other was feeling “frisky”, and of childhood play, particularly spinning in circles until we got so dizzy we collapsed on the lawn in fits of giggles.

We grow up. We stop spinning. We forget the euphoria that comes from simple play. What if we took that feeling back and inserted a little friskiness into our every day?

Be silly. Act goofy. Re-invent an imaginary friend. Do whatever natural thing works to lighten your mood. Don’t worry about what other people think.

You’re the one who matters so matter to yourself and feel a little frisky!

Next up: The next Feeling comes from the opposite side of the emotional spectrum. This could get a little dark, but that’s okay because we can’t feel positive ALL the time, can we?

Info about my Feelings series: I interpret my random abstract doodles as emotions. The guiding point is the outer boundary of the doodle. The boundary evokes the feeling. From there, I contemplate how to bring that particular feeling alive in fabric.